Praying through pain to praise!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 35, 36, 37; Psalm 99

Job 36:15 (NIV)

15 But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction.

Job: 36:24-26a (NIV)

24 Remember to extol His work, which men have praised in song. 25 All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar. 26 How great is God – beyond our understanding!

James 5:13-16 (NIV)

13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Good morning!

It is hard to be happy when you are hurting. I’ve found that to be so very true in my life. Last month, I stood near the bedside of my daughter Rachel as she and her husband Dave gave birth to their third child, a son named Andrew Joseph. I’m always amazed at Rachel’s determination to get through as much of her labor as possible without medication. I’m afraid I wasn’t so brave when I was birthing my babies.

I remember the day I arrived at the hospital to deliver our daughter Rachel. It was one of the hottest days of the year. We were living in Dallas, Texas, and in the summer of 1979, we began breaking heat records with weeks of unending all-time high temperatures of over 100°F. I waddled into labor and delivery that morning in a pool of sweat. The thermometer outside the hospital was registering 110°. I was miserable, being three weeks overdue (almost ten months pregnant), and my unhappy attitude was a reflection of this unfortunate circumstance. It’s a funny thing when you go to seminary – all of a sudden, every clergy student realizes they can get into the hospitals to visit at any time of the day or night to pray over the sick and infirm without being stopped by security. On this sizzling summer day, while I labored to deliver our daughter, there was au unending stream of seminarians outside in the hospital corridor just waiting for a chance to come inside our room to pray for me. God love ‘em! They would show up in between my three minute contractions while I was panting and puking, and I would try to smile and be sweet, but you know, it just wasn’t meant to be. After several long-winded visits by Jeff’s friends, I motioned for my husband to draw near to me and hold my hand. As he leaned over the bed, I grabbed his dress tie and pulled his sweet little face down toward my sweaty forehead. With eyes affixed on his and with as much love as I could possibly muster, I told my loving spouse through gritted teeth that if he let one more minister into my room, I was going to kill them both. For the safety of all clergy everywhere, Jeff promptly posted a no visitor sign on my door. And later that evening as the clergy stood and prayed outside in the waiting room, Jeff and I gave birth to our 8 pound 7 ounce baby daughter, Rachel Maria.

Any woman who has ever given birth knows the true meaning of being delivered in their suffering. God speaks to us smack dab in the middle of our affliction. We see Him clearly in the midst of adversity and pain. Elihu reminds Job to pray and praise the Lord, especially when the pain is unbearable. God’s greatness is beyond human comprehension – we cannot understand it. He glories in our praises, and honors us when we choose to praise Him, especially when we suffer through times of physical weakness and pain.

One thing I’ve learned about the power of prayer is that it works! There were a lot of righteous men outside my hospital room that day, praying for the new life to come. We had a beautiful, healthy baby girl that night. Last month, after a difficult and stressful pregnancy, our daughter Rachel delivered a healthy baby boy. How I praise God for His mercy and grace, in the midst of suffering and pain.

Last night, Jeff and I sat in the movie theatre, enjoying the new film, Evan Almighty. This is a great show – be sure to take your entire family to the theatre to see it! I found it interesting that the prayer of one willing civil servant to help change the world was the turning point that made all the difference for his entire community. Lives were saved and lessons learned because one person asked God to help them change the world. When we pray and praise, especially in times of suffering and pain, we become human conduits, unleashing the amazing power of God all over the world.

Take a lesson from our friend Job today, and remember to pray and praise the Lord, always, in every circumstance, every day of your life. Miracles do happen, and they begin at the foot of the cross, where our Lord’s horrific suffering became the reality for humanity’s delivery from sin and death forever.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: someone to pray hard! Maybe that someone should be you. Have you dropped to your knees this morning and offered your humble prayer to the Lord?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The mediator

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 32, 33, 34

Job 33:23-28 (NIV)

23 Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

24 to be gracious to him and say, Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him –

25 then his flesh is renewed like a child’s; it is restored as in the days of his youth.

26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.

27 Then he comes to men and says, I sinned and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.

28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.

Good morning!

I got a splinter yesterday in my ring finger. Even though I was able to remove it, every time I move this appendage over the keyboard today, I am made acutely aware that it was once there! Have you ever felt the sharp sting of a splinter long after it has been removed?

Job was revisiting his splintered life. Once a whole and healthy man, privileged to live in a household full of love and hope, Job had experienced the blessings of God in a mighty way. As the life he once knew began to splinter away, Job found himself sinking in utter despair. He grieved the deaths of his children and continued to suffer an illness that would not let him go. Job is caught up in the sting of a thorn that has pierced his heart to the core and pinned him to the ground.

Young Elihu had listened intently to Job’s pleas for help and the ineffectual offerings spoken by his three so-called friends. He was smart enough to wait until his elders had finished speaking, and young enough to know how to speak the truth without fear. Elihu reminded Job that God speaks, even in utter silence. He can reach us through dreams, visions in the night, and even in the pain and suffering of a long, unending illness. Have you ever heard the Lord speak to you late at night, while you are lying in bed resting? Does He succeed in getting your attention through sickness and pain? What do you think the Lord was trying to convey to Job’s heart?

A young prophet spoke eloquently of a coming mediator, a human and divine splinter remover. He would be one out of a thousand who could demonstrate to the world the great love God has for His creation. He would be the difference between life everlasting and death. He would heal the broken and splintered hearts of humanity by shedding his blood for all of us. He would bear the splinters of our sin in His body, as He carried our cross to Golgotha and willingly became our sacrificial lamb. Through His suffering, death and resurrection, we can live in relationship with Him today. Can you imagine having such a mediator taking on your splinters willingly, lovingly, and without holding a grudge?

This mediator is our splinter remover. Because of Him, we no longer have to stay in the pit of despair. We can live in the light of His love, the One who came to set us free. Elihu knew the mediator. Do you know Him? He is the one who can permanently remove the splinters in your life today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the mediator to remove the painful splinters that separate you from the Father above. Ask Him to take the sins that have pierced your life and remove them from you, once and for all. Jesus Christ, the great mediator, is waiting to heal your heart today. Will you ask Him?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

A little heart-to-heart with the Lord

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 29, 30, 31

Job 31:35-37 (NIV)

35 Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense – let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put His indictment in writing. 36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder; I would put it on like a crown. 37 I would give Him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach Him.

Good morning!

Do you ever spend time having a little heart-to-heart conversation with the Lord? My heart-to-heart talks with God do not mirror Job’s. He must have been a holy man, someone near and dear to God’s heart. I wish I could pray the prayers of Job. When I begin to take a serious look at my mistakes, they overwhelm me. Job never tried to secretly hide his sins away from the public’s eye. He was ready and willing to confess any infraction that would have offended God. Job continued to search his heart, and found himself begging the Lord for just one recollection of one failed moment that he could tag as the result of his early pain and suffering. I should have taken Job’s suffering. He certainly didn’t deserve it.

Was Job being punished? And if he was being punished, what was his crime? As I look back through my 30 years of marriage to Jeff, the time we spent at seminary and in the various churches we have served in Texas and Missouri, there were moments when we truly felt like we were being punished. I remember the time when Jeff contracted hepatitis in seminary. Rachel was only four months old when Jeff became a patient in a Dallas, Texas hospital, 50 miles from our home. He was sicker than I’ve ever seen him. That year felt like a never-ending punishment to me – we were 750 miles away from our family and friends. He was 22 years old. I didn’t understand why this was happening, and I don’t presume to understand it now. I can tell you, after having lived through it, our compassions for the sick and suffering was magnified by our own personal experience. We understand how it feels because we have experienced it in our life.

I remember a conversation I had with a well-intentioned church member not long after our son David was born. He and I had ongoing health issues that would require surgical intervention to fix, short of an instantaneous healing by the Lord. We were struggling to figure out how to deal with these new difficulties. Our parishioner basically told me that if I had more faith, I wouldn’t be having these problems. Don’t you wonder how Job felt when his friends told him basically the same thing?

There is no rhyme or reason to the tragedies we experience along life’s walk. Good people get hurt every single day; some of them are walking saints, and they struggle, just like you and I, with adversity and pain. Does this mean that God is punishing them for some sin they may have committed and not confessed? I hardly think so. I have friends who are bitter because they blame God for their life’s pain. There was a time long ago when I shook a holy fist at the Lord. The amazing thing about God’s love and grace is that He allows us to express our anger and pain – He listens to us as we cry out to Him for help. Whenever I feel totally abandoned and overwhelmed in grief, that is when God holds me in His arms and He refuses to let go. The Father could have let me walk away from Him in disillusionment and bitterness, but His plan for my life included a season to struggle and wrestle with the things of faith. He calls each of us to look beyond our past and present circumstances and choose whether or not we will love Him in spite of those trying moments.

Sometimes when I become angry with my children, I might say, “I still love you, but I don’t like you very much right now.” The Lord of life allows me to say the same thing to Him, and He forgives me when I deserve it the least. I can shake a holy fist at God, until I find myself standing at the foot of the cross and recognize just how much He suffered to save my life. Every drop of His blood was spilt so that we could finally be free from the pain and despair that comes from separation and sin. Can you imagine the kind of love the Lord God Almighty has for you? Isn’t it amazing that He would die just for your salvation? It places the struggles we endure here on earth in a proper perspective. We are only here for a short time, and it is through the adversities of life that we truly begin to see the Lord’s face. When we choose to say “I love you” no matter what may come and trust Him to lead us, we begin to scrape the surface of what agape love truly means.

Do you need to have a heart-to-heart talk with the Lord today? Jesus is waiting for you to come home to Him. Don’t hold back. Give Him everything you’ve got. Let Him have your pain, your tears, your hurt, your anger, your bitterness, your messed up life. Give it all to Him. He can give you a newness of life that will totally transform the way you walk and talk and live and love. There is life abundant in Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord. He will not leave you or forsake you, even when you find yourself suffering like His servant Job.

Have a heart-to-heart with the Lord today. You will be glad you did.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage to give the Lord your life. He will take our every wound and cover it with His blood, once and for all. There is an indescribable peace that comes from knowing the Lord is with you, especially in the tough stuff. He offers you a new life today. Won’t you ask Him to be your Savior?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Wise Guys

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 25, 26, 27, 28

Job 28:28 (NIV)
And he said to man, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

James 1:5 (NIV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Good morning!

Every time I enroll for a new Bible class at Lindenwood University, I look forward to receiving the course syllabus and ordering the text books online. As I review the materials prior to the first class, I find myself asking the questions: What will I learn from this course of study? When will I complete the assigned tasks? Who will I meet while taking this course? Where will this newly gleaned knowledge take me? So why am I doing this? The answer is always the same. I am seeking a greater wisdom and understanding in my daily walk with the Lord. With a grateful heart, I am gladly pursuing His call with a passion! I expect to hear the still, small voice of God as I read the assigned readings, and through the words of my instructors and fellow students. I pray that the end result will be the blessings of increased wisdom and understanding of His will for my life.

Job keeps asking the question, “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?” (Job 28:20 NIV) These are the kinds of questions that keep me awake at night. Solomon prayed for it, Job suffered through it, Isaiah preached it, and Jesus lived it. The beginning of wisdom begins with a healthy fear of God.

Humans have been trying to figure out the way of the Almighty ever since Adam and Eve walked in the garden long ago. Job’s friends, also affectionately known as the wise guys, thought they had the Great I Am figured out. Eliphaz believed he had achieved ultimate wisdom, through his personal observations of how God deals with the world. Bildad relied upon the life examples of his ancestors. He believed if he applied lessons already learned in past generations, that he would also walk in true wisdom and understanding, Zophar claimed that only the wise guys, like himself, could truly know what God is like. Had Job’s three friends found true wisdom and understanding? Did they have the Lord God Almighty's number?

Job’s response to his self-righteous friends begins and ends with complete trust. Wisdom is borne from knowing that God is far greater and more knowledgeable than he could ever hope to be. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the same God who gives life and takes the living back into his eternal arms. Rather than try to barter with God, Job recognizes his need to simply trust Him. This is especially important when Job’s limited human insights might keep him from seeing the bigger picture. Job believed that the evidence of understanding is displayed through a disciplined life, committed to seeking truth and turning away from the evils of this world.

There are times in life when we all fall into the trap of being wise guys. The older I get, the more I realize that I do not understand the ways of the Lord. I may never understand Him completely in this life, no matter how hard I study. The least I can do is to relinquish my will and limited vision and choose to trust Him completely with my life. The evidence of understanding will follow as I turn away from the sins that separate me from Him. Thank God for Jesus Christ! He is my mentor, teacher and kinsman redeemer. I look to Him daily for greater wisdom and understanding.

My prayer for you today is that you will find yourselves caught up in the gift of greater wisdom and understanding, as you seek to grow daily in the grace and love of God. Being a wise guy can be hazardous to your spiritual health. Relinquish your control today to the Lord. Won’t you give Him your heart? All wisdom, glory, honor and power be unto you, O Lord, my rock, my fortress and my redeemer. Amen!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: greater wisdom and understanding. It can only come from the Lord, the giver of abundant life. Open your Bibles this morning, and ask the Lord of all to give you greater wisdom, as you study His Word today.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Exercising your faith muscle

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 22, 23, 24

Job 23:8-10 (NIV)

8 “But if I go to the east, He is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find Him. 9 When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him; when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him. 10 But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Good morning!

I had forgotten how long a city block can be, especially when I’m walking and not riding in an air-conditioned automobile. When I worked in downtown St. Louis many years ago, I used to walk for exercise during my lunch hours. I wore a pedometer on my skirt band and would log the miles as I took a lunch time sprint. I could do 2.5 miles in about 40 minutes, and that was pushing it in a skirt and jacket. I learned if I was going to take a hike at lunch, I needed a change of clothes for the afternoon. One of my favorite places to walk was the arch grounds near the river. The sidewalks were level and wide, and much of the area was tree-lined, so it seemed to be a bit cooler than on the hard concrete of those long city blocks.

Last Saturday morning, I was up early as I walked the city sidewalks with thousands of my brothers and sisters (approximately 66,000 of them) who had come downtown to walk and run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I love seeing the faces of the survivors at this race. Their holy glow speaks louder than the constant chatter I am surrounded by. I smiled at one radiant survivor, being pushed along in her wheelchair by her cute little granddaughter. She had very little hair left from the treatments she was receiving. She looked weak, yet resilient. As the tune “I Will Survive” played over the intercom at the starting gate, this woman of faith was celebrating her very existence. She had made it to the starting gate, and was happy to be there. The look on this survivor’s face reminds me once again, that every human heart can experience amazing freedom, especially when we are pushing ourselves to live!

The survivors were exercising their faith muscles on Saturday. One little eight-year-old girl walked with a prosthetic leg in the race. I wondered if she knew just how much faith she was sharing by choosing to take a stroll that day. When we purposefully elect to exercise our faith and put a little muscle behind it, life happens in the most miraculous way! We can be a source of encouragement to the ones who cannot see the top of their mountain because the valley is so low. Through our actions and reactions, we can be a source of encouragement to each other, extending our hands to a brother or sister who needs a lift up and out of the trench they seem to be stuck in. Is your faith muscle in good working condition today, or is it weakened by lack of hope?

Job was looking for the Lord to the east and west, the north and south. He couldn’t find Him anywhere. Yet, through faith, Job knew God was there. He wasn’t sure exactly how his life would end, but he knew that God knew and that was enough to keep him out there, seeking the Lord’s face. Job had the assurance that can only come through a deep and abiding relationship with his Savior. No matter what the test, he would shine like gold before the Lord at the finish line.

Jesus Christ stands at the finish line of our life with His arms outstretched, waiting to receive us. For all who believe He is the only Son of the Great I Am, and call upon His name for forgiveness of sin and grace, we can begin a new race with Him at our side! Our finish line becomes the starting gate to an eternal life shared in the light of His amazing mercy, grace and love.

As the survivors crossed the finish line on Saturday, they were greeted by the loud and boisterous cheers of the crowd. They received roses and hugs from those awaiting their arrival. Job knew that at the end of his race, he would be greeted by the God he had come to love, and he would hear the applause and the shouts of his children who had gone on before him.

This morning, I am choosing to exercise my faith muscle. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there is more to this life than what I can see with my physical eyes. I know the Lord Jesus Christ is standing at the finish line, reaching out to me in love. When life gets especially difficult, I pray that I may have the confidence of Job, knowing God has not abandoned me to be shattered and scattered in the wind and rain. He is here! He is alive! And that is more than enough to help me get out bed and stretch my faith muscle today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the faith of Job! When we are struggling to survive, remember that faith is the certainty of all things hoped for, evidence of things yet to be seen. Cry out to Jesus today, and live!

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

My Redeemer Lives!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 19, 20, 21

Job 19:25-27 (NIV)

25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.

26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;

27 I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Good morning!

What an amazing faith Job had! Still trusting God despite his numerous losses, Job continues to bless the Lord, even in the pit of his despair. He believed that God was punishing him, and even though he could not understand why, Job trusted God enough to be his Redeemer. No matter what happens, Job knows that his Redeemer will rescue him and he is not afraid to say it. How much faith does it take to move a mountain? The amazing faith of Job could have shattered the earth to its core. His Redeemer, the Lord God Almighty, will stand upon the earth, and Job knows he will see Him, even when his own flesh fails. How do you find that kind of faith? Scripture teaches us that extreme faith is borne from extreme adversity, and Job knew adversity full well.

Throughout the Old Testament, we learn that a Redeemer is a family member who pays the price for a slave’s freedom, or chooses to care of a widow in her great need, also known as a kinsman Redeemer. Job trusted God to be his kinsman Redeemer, even after losing everything precious and meaningful to him. Could you trust God that much, when your life is absolutely falling apart? What if you lost your child or a spouse – could you trust God to be your kinsman Redeemer even in the midst of your grief? Could you trust Him to redeem you as you experience an illness that leaves you permanently scarred and disabled? Are you willing to cry out in faith, knowing in spite of it all, that your Redeemer lives?

Friday evening, I watched in awe as Dove and Grammy Award winner Nicole C. Mullen took the main stage at the Women of Faith Conference in Saint Louis, Missouri. I’ve listened to her music for years; yet, never had the opportunity until Friday night to see her perform live. In 2001, Nicole received two Dove awards, for Song of the Year, entitled Redeemer, and Songwriter of the Year. If you have not heard Nicole sing “Redeemer,” you are missing out on something very special. I would encourage you to listen to the song online, or you may order a copy of Redeemer: The Best of Nicole C. Mullen (Word, 2006) from your local Christian bookstore.

In this amazing testimony of mercy and grace, Nicole sings praise and thanksgiving to her kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ. “He lives to take away my shame, and He lives forever! I’ll proclaim that the payment for my sin was the precious life He gave. But now He is alive and there is an empty grave! I know my Redeemer lives!” Do these words speak of the Savior you know and love this morning?

Great faith is borne from great adversity. Job displayed great faith throughout his life. He honored the Lord when life was good. When life became a painful, lonely existence, Job continued to trust in the promises of his Redeemer. It is the same faith we carry in our hearts today, knowing no matter what happens, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, lives! He lives! He has washed our sin away through the spilling of His blood at Calvary. He hung and died there, for you. If you had been the only one on earth who needed redemption, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, would have come back just for you. Even when our flesh fails us, we can know without a doubt, that we will see our Redeemer and He will not leave or forsake us, even to the death. Through Jesus Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life in His holy presence.

So how strong is your faith this morning? Will you stand up today and sing, I know my Redeemer lives!”

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: assurance to know without a doubt that your Redeemer lives! He lives to set you free from the sin that separates you from God. Cry out to Jesus this morning. Not only will He hear you; He will save you and redeem you through the power of His blood. It’s a guarantee you can count on. We have His Word on it!

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Walking with a heart limp

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 16, 17, 18

Job 17:11 (NIV)
[Job said] 11 “My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
[Paul said] 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

John 16:33 (NIV)
[Jesus said] 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Good morning!

Every year, I look forward to hearing from published author and renowned speaker Patsy Clairmont at the Women of Faith Conference. I like Patsy because she is short and sassy; someone I’d like to emulate when I grow up. She has a wit and charm about her that is a true gift of grace from God. If you’ve ever read any of Patsy’s books, you will know that she is a living, breathing, walking, talking miracle! Patsy was healed from an illness known as severe agoraphobia [the fear of open spaces.] This humble woman, who spent many years locked in seclusion within the confines of her home, now travels the globe with the Women of Faith team, spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ by speaking to thousands of people each week. Patsy’s message spoke to my heart this weekend, as she eloquently explained how the joy and healing she experiences through faith in Jesus Christ helps her navigate the valleys of life.

Job was walking with a heart limp through his valley of grief and despair. His bones were brittle and frail as the boils and sores caused from his physical infirmity continued to eat away at his flesh. Overwhelmed by immense physical and emotional pain, Job was more than ready to give up the fight. His three best friends were growing tired of listening to Job's unending rant. In a moment of sheer exasperation, Bildad exclaims: “When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk.” (Job 18:2 NIV). Do the people in your life ever get tired of listening to you complain?

In her book Dancing Bones: Living Lively in the Valley, Clairmont describes walking in the valleys of life with a heart limp. The faith that comes from knowing and loving Jesus Christ gives me hope and strength to walk in the valleys of my life. I’m not getting any younger, and I can promise you that my physical body is definitely on the downhill slide. Because I know a greater tomorrow is on its way, my heart is filled with a joyful exuberance that can only come through experiencing new life in Jesus Christ. Whenever I find myself stuck in a valley rut, I reposition myself so I can look up! There are some things in this world that we may never see clearly or understand. Knowing this suffering is a temporary situation, I hold onto the hope of Christ, weaving my way along the uneven path. My Lord is there, right beside me, every step of the way. Sometimes, I can feel Him holding my hand. Do you know what it is like to hold the nail-scarred hand of your Savior?

Jesus said we could expect trouble in this world – the good news is that He has already overcome it! Christ offers hope for all who are walking with a heart limp in the valleys of life.

Won’t you ask Jesus to take your hand and walk with you today? He has the power to heal your pain and calm your fears once and for all. Come join me in worship at Faith Church. Together, we can lift up our hands and hearts to the Lord. When Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed! It’s time to lose the limp!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the peace of Christ to rest upon your heart today. There is great joy, knowing you don’t have to walk through the valleys of your life all alone. Ask Jesus to set you free! He will do it, if you will let Him. Will you let Him?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Finding Jesus on the streets of downtown Saint Louis

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (Holman NT)

Pray for us

1 Finally, pray for us, brothers, that the Lord's message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to God's love and Christ's endurance.

Good morning!

If you have never been to a Women of Faith Conference, you need to find a location near you, buy a couple of tickets and take your girl friend! We are being blessed by the amazing freedom we have in Jesus Christ, and celebrating it this weekend with our sisters all over the globe. If you are male, do not let the words "Women of Faith" scare you. Yes, they let the guys in too, and while you may be in the minority, men are always treated as royalty around here. This is a weekend I look forward to every year.

Last night as Nancy and I were leaving the conference, we happened upon a homeless couple, a man and woman, who were hoping someone might stop and help them. I used to walk the streets of downtown for many, many years. I was always in a hurry - not looking up very often. As I've grown older and my heart has been softened by the Lord, I find myself slowing down and taking a longer look at the people I pass on the street. This was no ordinary couple.
They had shared a trailer home in Cahokia, and a fire destroyed everything they had. They came across the river seeking assistance and hoping they might find work. Scott had everything he owned rolled up neatly in an over-the-shoulder duffle bag. Sherry carried an oversized purse, and a sign that said, "Homeless - please help." As I listened and asked questions, I noticed how the presence and power of the Holy Spirit seemed to be hovering all around. It was late and very dark, but on the street corner where we stood, I felt as if I was standing underneath a spotlight, and that light belonged to the Lord of life.

I asked Scott and Sherry if they would let me pray for them. With willing hearts, we huddled together, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, and I began to cry out to God for His help and guidance. There was a peace there on that sidewalk; it was as if we were experiencing intimate fellowship with the Savior of the world right there underneath the stars.

Out of my peripheral vision, I notice another man hovering close behind. I caught a look in his eye. He was twitching and watching us with great distain. I knew we were in danger. Funny thing, the Holy Spirit seems to awake our spiritual intuition at just the right moment. Scott noticed him too. We began to pray for that man. Suddenly, he ran across the street, leaving our group behind. As we finished praying, Scott asked us if they could walk us to our cars. I cannot tell you how very grateful I was to have an escort by a Godly couple that night.

Extreme faith is borne from extreme situations. Sherry and Scott not only possess a hope for tomorrow; they know who holds them up, even as they sleep in a homeless shelter, or under the Eads Bridge at night. A few nights before, Scott had been pistol whipped by another street person, who was looking for a little cash. He wondered why they didn't kill him then and there. Have you ever wondered why you survived some horrific ordeal? Scott and Sherry were teaching us by experience. They could have been bitter, but the joy of the Lord was definitely their strength and comforter.

As you say your prayers this morning, please pray for my newfound friends, Sherry and Scott. Before we left the parking lot last night, Sherry spoke a word of faith over my life. Throwing her arms about my neck, she offered a prayer I will never, ever forget. Have you ever noticed how the most amazing prayers are borne from great pain? I came downtown this evening to share a blessing, and found myself being blessed in ways I cannot even begin to describe. I saw Jesus Christ up close and personal last night, and I am glad to know there are two incredible people out there on the streets of St. Louis this morning, changing the world where we live, one heart at a time.

Before I fell asleep, I wondered whether I would ever see them again - we gave them tickets for the Saturday conference and lunch and how I hope they come inside. There is a lot of ministering going on downtown today, but the greatest gifts are outside the walls of the sanctuary.

Take time to stop along the sidewalk of your life today, and take a closer look at the people who pass you by. Will you be Jesus to them? Maybe they will be Jesus to you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Living in the prison of guilt

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 10, 11, 12

Job 11:7-12 (NIV)

[Zophar said,] 7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than the heavens – what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave – what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. 10 If he comes along and confines you to prison and convenes a court, who can oppose Him? 11 Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when He sees evil, does He not take note? 12 But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man.”

Romans 3:21-25 (NIV)

21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.

Good morning!

You know your real friends when they stick with you, especially through the tough stuff in life. I have a girl friend that I have known for years. Nancy and I met while working downtown seventeen years ago. One day, I complimented her hair color. She was a redhead, and I admired that color, because I also had auburn hair. I have always believed that redheads have brilliant minds and they tend to be extraordinarily loyal and devoted to their family and friends! That moment of meeting and the commonality we shared through the color of our hair turned into a sisterhood that will never be broken. Nancy is blonde now, and I forgive her for that. I’m still a redheaded wannabe, in spite of all those pesky gray streaks. Still, I know our friendship will last forever. Someday Nancy and I will stand side by side in heaven praising the Lord of life for His grace and mercy. We are blessed to be sisters through Jesus Christ, and He has made us a part of the family of faith.

Zophar’s words were tough for Job to hear. He thought he was doing his best to help a brother out. From all appearances, Zophar came to the conclusion that Job had sinned, and his sins had caught up to him big time. Do you ever feel like you are a walking advertisement - a flashing marquee for sin? Everyone was passing judgment on poor Job. They saw his suffering and pain. They wondered whether his loyalty to the Lord had somehow been compromised and now God was making him pay for his mistakes. Job was beginning to resent the Lord. Somehow, he couldn’t understand how God could let this happen to him. More importantly, Job had become totally disgusted with his friends. Was Zophar was trying to be a true friend to Job, by encouraging him to confess and repent? Or was Zophar’s only motivation to point the finger at his brother, just to take the spotlight off of his own sin and shortcomings?

When we are suffering from the sins eating away at our life, it is always good to hear the truth from someone who loves us, even when it hurts. My friend Nancy is gifted at knowing how to love a sinner, while hating the sin. She always finds a way to speak the truth in love. I listen to her, even when I do not like what I hear. She holds me accountable, and yet, never stops loving me. We could all use a friend like Nancy in our life.

When Jesus Christ made Himself known to the world, He brought all of us a message of great hope. No matter how good we want to be or try to be, every one has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Even Job, who worked tirelessly to please God and honor Him with his life, was not completely without sin. For those of us who are still incarcerated in the prison of guilt, Jesus is the key. He can free you, once and for all, through the power of His cleansing blood. He can cover your sin and shame once and for all. There is just nothing we can do to earn God’s grace or favor. We can try to live good and honest lives, but it will not be enough apart from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the Good News of the Gospel we just have to share with a world imprisoned in its many diversities and cultures. None of us will ever be good enough all by ourselves. Dear friends, we are all going down on the same sinking ship. Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and He will make a way for you today if you ask Him to save you.

This weekend, I will be standing next to my sister Nancy, along with 15,000 other sisters in the Scott Trade Center in downtown Saint Louis, worshipping Jesus and praising His holy and awesome name. He is the key to unspeakable joy, a never-ending love, and a peace that cannot be explained with human words. If you find yourself locked up in the prison of guilt this morning, ask Jesus to set you free. He will do it! And that’s a promise you can count on!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: salvation! Jesus Christ will set you free from the sin and suffering in your life. You can know what it means to be forgiven. There is joy in the journey, even when the road is rough. Be thankful for the people God has placed in your life, who love you enough to tell you about the Lord.

I will be at the Women of Faith Conference this weekend in St. Louis. I hope to see you there! May the Lord bless and keep you, until we meet again online.

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

When God is silent

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 7, 8, 9

Job 7:19-21 (NIV)
19 “Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? 20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? 21 Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

Matthew 27:46 (NIV)
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Good morning!

Have you ever questioned God? Did you blame Him for a miserable moment you experienced somewhere along life’s path? It is an easy thing to do, especially when we are in extreme pain. We cannot see things objectively or understand why God would allow this awful thing to happen to us. Job had based his entire life on purposefully honoring the Lord. He wanted to please God more than anything else. He wanted His family to bring God honor by the way they chose to live each day of their lives. Job had worked very hard at this. What happens when, one day, we realize that all of our good work is simply not enough? Do we wonder, like Job, who could ever possibly please the Lord God Almighty?

I admit that there have been times when I have held my angry and wounded heart up to the Lord, waiting for Him to speak. I longed to see the bigger picture, but my tiny mind would not let me move past the pain. Suffering catches us where we are the most vulnerable and holds us in a death grip as we try unsuccessfully to wiggle free. Morning after morning, Job had come to know the Lord He loved. How could His God do this to him? What had he done to deserve such judgment and ridicule from the Lord, the giver of life? Why would His heavenly Father, who had walked side by side with him all those years, suddenly become silent and elusive just when Job needed Him the most?

Job was angry and bewildered. He was questioning his beliefs; wondering if He had misplaced his faith after all those years. Job went directly to the Lord, shaking his fist and demanding answers. Have you ever shaken your fist in anger at God? Were you hurting so much that you wondered how a God of mercy and grace could possibly exist while allowing unspeakable grief to ravage your life?

God had allowed a plague of evil to overshadow Job. Why would God do such a thing? The Lord allowed Satan to slither inside a good man’s family, forging a path of death and destruction upon them, and Job could not see or understand why. How could he accept this cup of bitterness from the God he loved? Like Job, there is a time when we come to the realization that all of our good works and deep desires to please Him simply pales in comparison to His greatness and glory. Who can understand the Lord? Are we fully able to comprehend His master plan for humanity and the people who surround us every day? Are we willing to trust Him, even in moments of utter despair? Is it possible that God can take our broken hearts and use it to help heal someone else’s pain? There are some things in life we will never fully understand. Are you willing to allow your pain to bring comfort to someone else who is crying out for help today? Will we allow our compassion to become living action as we reach out in love to a hurting world?

If you have ever lost someone you love, or suffered with a painful illness or infirmity that plagues you every single day, you may not realize it now, but God is allowing a greater plan to emerge from your life experience. He can give you a heart of compassion for those who suffer, if you let Him. True relationship evolves from the life experiences we share. It is a common thread that unites us. Has Job’s life example made a difference for you? Can you relate to the suffering of this humble servant of God?

When God is silent, do not despair. Trust Him enough to know there is a greater plan beyond the things you are experiencing today. We can choose to love our Lord all the more, knowing without a doubt He holds our hearts and bears our grief. He will not let us go, especially when we are suffering. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, understands our pain. He knows what it feels like when God is silent.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: wisdom to know that even in the silence, God speaks. His plan and purpose is so much larger than anything we can possibly understand. Trust Him today, knowing He has not abandoned you. God understands your suffering. He sees your face. He loves you and will not forsake you, even when evil touches your life. Let God turn your pain into compassion that births action for another hurting soul. Won’t you hand Him your hurt today?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Choosing to be bitter or better

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 4, 5, 6

Job 6:8-10 (NIV)

8 [Job said,] “Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,

9 that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose His hand and cut me off!

10 Then I would still have this consolation – my joy in unrelenting pain – that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Good morning!

Poor Job! He was living a nightmare. In one fell swoop, he lost his material wealth, earthly possessions, the children he adored, and his health. Now Job was losing his friends. It is easy to sit back and point the finger at someone who is struggling. We humans have a tendency to try to explain away the ills of the world. Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zuphar, adopted the cause and effect theory; they believed Job must have done something very wrong to bring about his suffering. It is human nature to want to know why things happen the way they do, and it is easier to place blame and turn away, than choose to hold the hand of the hurting one and suffer alongside them. There are some circumstances in life that we may never fully understand why. For instance, why are babies born with cancer? Why are mass numbers of people starving to death around the world? Why would anyone ever choose to abuse and exploit an innocent, trusting child? These questions resonate in my heart. There are many mornings when I sit weeping at the master’s feet. He catches the tears of my grief as I mourn for a suffering humanity. I especially grieve for the children. There are some things in this life that I will never understand.

It was doubly difficult for Job to find peace. He had searched his heart over and over again, wondering why the Lord would pull life’s blessings away from him, allowing his family to experience long suffering and unending misery. Have you ever been so distraught and in so much pain that you simply wanted to die? Overwhelming grief and excruciating physical pain can cause us moments of extreme despair. Job loved the Lord. The thought that he might have sinned against the God He adored was more unbearable than the physical and emotional suffering he experienced. He never meant to break God’s heart, and Job was beginning to feel responsible for the situation he found himself in. After all, his friends kept telling him so. Has anyone ever tried to tell you that your unfortunate circumstance or situation may not have happened because of something you did or said in your past?

It is easier to give up and bail out when we find our life dangling by a thread in extreme situations. In my life, there are some things that God never intended for me to fully understand. He wants me to trust Him, not just when times are good, but especially when life is hard. We can become our own worst enemies, allowing ourselves to be cynical and bitter. This attitude can eventually lead us to blame God for the troubles in our life. Isn’t it good that God understood the condition of Job’s heart! He will not abandon us in our season of suffering and grief. We must choose to trust the Lord in the things we do not understand. He can reach us if we are willing to lay our hearts before His throne of mercy and grace. He will use our story to bring Him glory. Are we willing to tell it? Are we able to share our most painful and private hurts, if it might bring hope to a sister or brother who is suffering in silence today?

We tend to look at the outward circumstance and pass judgment all too quickly based upon our limited knowledge. Isn’t it good that the Lord God Almighty does not look on the outside? He looks upon the heart and He knows who you are and whose you are, even when you cannot see Him clearly.

It is a miserable thing to suffer and grieve. When pain tells me to quit, this is when my faith kicks in and keeps me going. Through Jesus Christ, He gives me the assurance and hope in knowing one day, the hurting will end and He will dry every tear with His holy hand. There are some things we simply cannot control in our life. We do have the power to choose whether to let our circumstances make us bitter or better. How far am I willing to let it go, in order to honor the Lord I love? Is it possible that my story might bring hope to someone who is struggling to survive? Jesus speaks through our pain. Will you let the story of your life bring God glory today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: peace that passes all understanding. We can choose to be better, rather than bitter, especially in times of suffering. When we stop focusing on ourselves and look to the Lord for our constant hope and help, He will give us perfect peace, especially when we are suffering. Quit focusing on your situation, and look up! Jesus is waiting for you to give Him all your pain, once and for all.

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The difference between happiness and joy

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 1, 2, 3

Job 1:20-22 (NIV)
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

James 1:2-3 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the test of your faith develops perseverance.

Good morning!

There is a distinct difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is the effect one feels depending upon their particular circumstance. I have a new grandson, and that makes me very happy! If my grandson Andrew were not with us yet, would I still feel the same happiness I feel this morning? I doubt it. I would be waiting with baited breath for the baby to be born, and I would be praying for a safe delivery and a healthy boy. True joy is a gift from God and it has no bearing on the situation we find ourselves in. We can rejoice in knowing a baby is coming and all that means to our family! A new life changes everything! There is great joy when we anticipate the future and know for sure that the blessing is on its way.

This is the story of Job, a holy man of God, who had walked in the light of God's love all his days. Job was happily married. He and his wife had seven sons and three daughters, all of whom they were very proud of. He managed a large farm with lots of livestock. Job honored the Lord with his life, and everyone who knew them had great respect for his family.

Have you ever felt like everything was going your way – you were living the life many can only wish for? Job’s desire to please God burdened him so that he would rise up early in the morning and offer sacrifices for each of his children, just in case they may have sinned or cursed God the day before. The Lord knew Job’s heart and was pleased with his consistent and sincere devotion. When the accuser said that Job would not be faithful to the Lord in a season of suffering, God allowed him to attack Job and his family. Like Job, we all experience moments in time when we come under a spiritual attack. Did God stop loving Job when Job’s life began to fall apart? No - God’s love for Job had not changed. He allowed the evil one to enter into Job’s family as a test of faith.

It is easy to love God when life is good. Are you as willing to love Him wholeheartedly when things are not going so well? Happiness may all but disappear when we lose the ones we love to illness, death, and destruction. One day we have a paycheck – the next day, we are beating the pavement, looking for work. One moment, our home is full of love and laughter – the next minute, the house is silent and lonely. We feel great today, only to receive a dreaded phone call from our family physician, indicating the test results were not what we hoped for. Happiness can fade in the blink of an eye; in the breath of a second. True joy comes from knowing and trusting the One who holds our future in the palm of His hand. The things we face in life today are only a fleeting moment in time. We have seen the child – the gift of everlasting life. We hope for His imminent return, knowing it will not be long until we can be reunited with Him forever. The pain and suffering we endure here on earth is only for a moment. The love and joy we experience in eternity makes the difficult moments manageable. They will pass. God remains. Through Christ, we live again. True joy exists in knowing and loving the Savior of the world.

Are you happy today? Your happiness may disappear, but no one can take your joy, unless you let the evil one steal it away from you. Do not let your circumstances control your heart. Give your pain to the Lord. He understands your suffering and will fill you with His joy in every circumstance. The Apostle Paul understood the gift of true joy. Even while he was imprisoned, he considered it pure joy in trials and tribulation.

There is true joy in the journey of life. His name is Jesus. Do you know Him today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: joy to fill you up and send you out into a world where happiness may not exist. Give the Lord Jesus Christ your heart today and experience true joy in Him!
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.